Syllabus
AP Physics C
Instructor: Jeannette Bryan Room: B-304
Voice Mail: 355-6568 Email:jbryan@greenville.k12.sc.us
I am so excited to be teaching AP Physics C this year. I think the students will find this a stimulating, fast moving class, and I hope that we can have some fun along the way.
As you are probably aware, the Advance Placement Program of the College Board is designed to let students in high school obtain college credit and/or advanced placement above the introductory course level at the college they attend. This is a program of credit by examination. The College Board hires the Education Testing Service (ETS) to write and grade the AP Exams. Needless to say it is a very challenging exam and will push each student. Grades on the exam are assigned on a 1-5 scale with most colleges giving some credit for a “3”. You should contact the colleges of your choice to learn just what score will be needed to receive credit.
In order to give college credit, the nation’s colleges expect that AP classes will be equivalent to college level courses. In Physics, this means we will do college level labs. We will spend about 20% of our time in lab. Most students enjoy time spent in lab and think it is well worth the time and effort.
Each student and parent should not be surprised by course requirements that are in excess of what you would expect from an honors level course. It is not unusual for a student to be responsible for several assignments at the same time. For example, there will be homework problems from the text as well as homework problems from old AP exams. Students will be given a syllabus and are expected to keep up with assignments without much prompting from the teacher.
Perhaps the greatest challenge is the requirement that students remain consistent throughout the year. In regular courses, a bright, high-ability student can let his or her effort slide from time to time and make up for it with a big night before the test. Other students may work very hard for one semester and then, upon acceptance to college, may let their efforts dwindle in the spring. Students will discover that once they get behind it is very difficult to catch up. These strategies will threaten even the brightest student’s chances of doing well in this class.
Success in this course will depend on student motivation, maturity, ability to read for comprehension, solve complex multi-step problems, write in clear concise sentences, and ability to organize. Self-discipline is important because there will not be the kinds of daily checks on homework and daily assignment reminders that students may be accustomed to in other classes. In addition to paying attention in class, completing all assignments, and reading parts of the text book, students will most likely require extra help. Students should form study groups within the class so that students can help each other understand complex concepts. I also suggest that students purchase an AP Physics C study work book such as those sold at Barnes and Noble or online. I recommend “5 Steps To a 5: AP Physics C”, but there are other good study books as well. The year of publication is not too important, as this class has not changed much over the years. I also suggest students use online resources such as the following.
myap.collegeboard.org
Khan Academy
Flippin Physics
Dan Fullerton Mechanics
free-test-online.com
Grades are issued by the school each 4 ½ weeks and may be viewed at any time by parents using the Parent Portal. You may obtain access by contacting the guidance department. I encourage you to maintain communication with your child and help them develop a sense of responsibility by questioning them about their academic standing in Physics class between grade reports.
If you have any questions about your son or daughter’s progress in AP Physics, please contact me at school. The school phone number is 355-6501 and my e-mail is jbryan@greenville.k12.sc.us.
Thanks for your support and I look forward to working with you!!
Grades: 60% of each quarterly grade will consist of tests, and 40% will consist of labs, quizzes, homework, etc.
Materials For In Person Learning: Students will need to bring the following each day…
Notebook paper, graph paper, pencils with erasers, scientific calculator (graphing functions are not necessary), 1 page protector
Student Textbooks
Each student should receive access to the online textbook, or a hard copy of the book. The assigned textbook for this class is Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, 4th Edition, by Randall D. Knight.
Classroom Procedures For In Person Learning:
Entering the classroom:
· Come into the room quietly and take your seat.
· Make sure your ID is on and visible at all times.
· Take out your class materials and begin any posted assignments.
Tardy Policy:
You should be in your seat and quiet when the tardy bell rings. Consequences of repeated tardiness are listed in the Student Handbook.
General:
· You should plan ahead to be sure you have time to take care of restroom needs between classes.
· Do not talk during classroom lectures or announcements. It is both annoying and difficult to try to listen when people around you will not be quiet. You do not have the right to impair another student’s opportunity to learn.
· Do not eat or drink in class (only water is allowed!).
· Treat your teacher and all your classmates with respect. Most of the time, our attitude affects others’ treatment of us. So treat others as you would like to be treated.
· Do your best always. Doing your best generally will result in positive experiences, success and personal satisfaction.
· Use your common sense. If you think it might be wrong, it probably is. If you think it might disturb someone else, it probably will.
· Learn now to take responsibility for yourself and to gracefully accept the consequences, as well as the benefits, of your own actions.
· Failure to adhere to classroom expectations or procedures will result in detention, a call to your parents, a referral, or other disciplinary action.
· Procedures are subject to amendment without prior notification as needs arise.
· Restroom Policy: Students are encouraged to take care of needs between classes.
· Cell Phone Policy: The use of cell phones is not allowed in class, and students should have cell phones put away, out of sight, whenever in class. On rare occasions I may have the students use their cell phones for a specific task, but this will be at my direction.
· Assignments: Time on any assignment may be limited at the teacher’s discretion. The time allowed to complete any assignment will always be sufficient for any student who stays on task or who has properly prepared. Students who have 504 or IEP accommodations may receive extensions as required. All assignments and due dates will be posted in Google Classroom. Assignments are due by midnight of the due date posted in Googe Classroom. Most assignments will be completed and submitted via Google Classroom.
Make-Up Policy
If a student is absent for any reason on the day of a test, the student will be expected to take the test on the day of his/her return to school, preferably before or after school. The make-up test may be in a different format than the original test, but will cover the same material All other assignments are due on the 2nd day of the student’s return. If assignments are not turned in by the 2nd day, a grade of zero will be assigned. If your absence is excused and you feel that you need additional time to complete assignments, due to extenuating circumstances, it is the student’s responsibility to see me to discuss a possible extension.
Make-up labs will be allowed within one week of the student’s return; however, students are responsible for learning any material covered during an absence. Powerpoint lectures, classroom assignments, and homework will be posted in Google Classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to check the weekly planner and Google Classroom to find out what he or she missed during an absence. Students should also check with their classmates to get any additional notes or instructions that are not posted online. If a student misses class, they should read and study the Powerpoint notes and complete any missed assignments, if at all possible. If a student takes these steps and still does not understand the assignment or material, they should see me before or after school. I am available before and after school on most days. All assignments that were assigned prior to the absence will be due upon the student’s return to school.
In general, late work will not be accepted. I understand that emergencies and unforeseen events occur in our lives. Therefore, students will be allowed to turn in one late assignment per semester.
Academic Honesty
Cheating in any way, shape, or form will not be tolerated within this classroom. If you are caught copying another student's work or if you allow another student to copy your work you will receive an automatic zero for the assignment or test. You will also be reported and steps will be taken as explained in your student handbook. Plagiarism will also be dealt with in this manner.
The content for the course is based on four big ideas:
Big Idea 1 – Interactions produce change in motion.
Big Idea 2 – Forces characterize interactions between objects or systems.
Big Idea 3 – Fields predict and describe interactions.
Big Idea 4 – Conservation laws constrain interactions.
Topics Covered:
1.Introduction and Review of Math Skills 1 week
2.Kinematics 5 weeks
a. Vectors/Scalars
b. One Dimensional Motion (including graphing position, velocity, and acceleration)
c. Two Dimensional Motion
3. Newton’s Laws of Motion and Forces 4 weeks
4. Circular Motion 2 weeks
5. Application of Calculus to Previously Covered Topics 2 weeks
6. Work, Energy, and Power 5 weeks
a. Work-Energy Theorem
b. Force and Potential Energy
c. Conservation of Energy
d. Power
7. Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum 4 weeks
a. Center of Mass
b. Impulse and Momentum
c. Conservation of Linear Momentum, Collisions
8. Rotation 4 weeks
a. Torque and Rotational Statics
b. Rotational Kinematics
c. Rotational Dynamics and Energy
d. Angular Momentum and Its Conservation
9. Oscillations 2 weeks
Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums
10. Universal Law of Gravitation, Orbits of Planets 1 week
11. Review for Exam 2 weeks